Press Releases

Judicial candidates are fundamentally different than political candidates. Allowing them to personally ask lawyers and litigants who may later appear before them in court for money may raise questions about the impartiality of their rulings.

Florida’s rule prohibiting judicial candidates from personally soliciting campaign contributions protect judges against the appearance of judicial bias and bolsters the public’s confidence in the fairness of our courts, the Brennan Center for Justice argued in an brief filed today.

Candidates for North Carolina’s Supreme Court have raised a record breaking $2.9 million in campaign funds this election cycle thanks to the absence of a public financing system the state removed last year.

One month out from Nov. 4 elections, North Carolina Supreme Court candidates have booked more than $1 million in TV airtime -- money they raised from business interests and lawyers who may later appear before them.